This past weekend in Panama City, Panama, Raul Castro and Obama made history. These two powerful leaders met at a conference room in the Summit of America which other Latin American nations attended also. This event marks a significant change in Cuba and American relations. Since the end of the Cold War, America has had to deal with the lasting effects left behind. The animosity between communist Cuba and the democratic U.S. has lasted around a half a century and seems to be nearing an end.

Obama believes these diplomatic changes can happen. He said to Castro and everyone in the conference that “The United States will not be imprisoned by the past. We are looking to the future”. Castro as well appears to be looking towards the future by complementing Obama saying “I​n my opinion, President Obama is an honest man,​ I admire him, and I think his behavior has a lot to do with his humble background”. Castro went on to say he read some of Barack Obama’s memoirs and plans to finish them soon.

Both presidents hope to achieve their own goals while sharing an open mind. In this open atmosphere, Raul Castro spoke freely stating all the grievances Cuba feels towards the U.S. in a 50 minute long speech. Obama also spoke candidly stating his goal is to “improve the lives of the Cuban people and advance the cooperation in the hemisphere”. Obama’s first step to strengthening the relationship will be removing Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Castro appears to feel that diplomatic friendliness is possible, “We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient, very patient. We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow”.